James timms



`(No Model.) 2 Sheets-,Sheet 2.

J. T11/IMS.V GAR GOUPLING.

' No. 417,347. Patented Dec. 17, 1889.

@VLM/Lema@ UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES TIMMS, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,347, dated December 17', 188

Application filed January 19, 1889. Serial No. 296 ,830. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern: Be it known that I, JAMES TIMMs, of Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State.

Vhad to the accompanying drawings.

My improvements relate to what are known as verticalhook-couplersg7 and their object is to improve that class of couplers in the particulars hereinafter pointed out.

My invention relatesA to .the provision of proper bung-surfaces for the knuckle, in connection with a tapering coiled spring and a loose-knuckle pivot-pin, whereby perfect action of the knuckle under all circumstances :find security against breaking are provided My invention also relates to improvements in bumpers for a draw-head of a' coupler of the type mentioned.

. In the accompanying` drawings, Figure 1 is a horizontal central section of a draw-head, showing the ,knuckle in plan. Fig. 2 is a side view of a bumperdetached, showing the rubber cushion in section. Fig. 3 is a similar View of a shorter bumper adapted to be applied to the rear part of the draw-head. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the draw-head,

showing the relation of a gravity-catch withn respect to the knuckle. Fig. 5 isa view of a bumper in position as it would be applied to the sill or frame-work of a car. Fig. 6 is a section on line G 6 of Fig. l, showing the stepped bearings of the knuckle in the draw-p.

head. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatical view of a draw-head, showing the pivot-pin hole and pin to be in line with theinner striking-face of the draw-head. y

Referring to the letters upon the drawings,

A indicates a draw-bar; B, the draw-head;,

C, the knuckle, pivoted at D approximately on a line with the inner striking-face E of the draw-head. This location of the pin is desirable for security, and also so that the bufiing strain or blows in service shall be the least likely to do injury to the pin.

F indicates the guard-arm of the draw head, and G a gravity-catch or knuckle-fastening 5o bolt, with a sliding bearing G in the drawhead.

X indicates a lateral extension of the knuckle, adapted to engage with the catch G, as shown in Fig. l.

Referring now particularly to what constitutes my improvements, H indicates a coneshaped coiled spring, which I introduce between the draw-head and the knuckle in such relation to these parts that'it tends to help uncouple when the fastening-bolt G is Ywithdrawn from the fastening position.

I indicates a socket in the draw-head for seating the base of the coiled spring, and I another socket in the knuckle for receiving the pointed end or top of the spring. By making the spring tapered I am enabled to get it into the position shown, where a much shorter spring than heretofore used will answer the purpose. In this way the spring takes up but little room and metal is saved in the construction of the knuckle. The spring, being short and with a broad base resting in sockets at each end, is not liable to tilt to one side or get out of place when in the form and position shown. In action it is compressed and extends in a straight line and does not catch and lbind as a rcurved coiled spring is liable to do. It is located so as to act on a line substantially tangential to the surface of the knuckle on which it bears. Asittouches the knuckle only at its end and operates in a straight line, it is more reliable and efficient in action than a curved spring, and, being tapered, as described, it can be set and operated in the manner and position shown, so

as to work to the best advantage.

K indicates a shoulder, and L another shoulder upon the knuckle K', and K2 and K3 indicate corresponding .bearings on the drawhead. These shoulders are formed on each side of the knuckle alike, and they form a stepped seating of the knuckle in the drawhead which is very strong. The shoulders and bearings being concentric With the pivotal center of motion of the knuckle, and the pivot-pin ot' the knuckle being slightly loose in its fitting in the pin-hole, all the dangerous bufing strains and blows of service are taken up by the draw-head substantially in line with its axis, so that the pivot-pin of the knuckle is not likely to suffer injurious strain, and there is no such lateral strain upon the IOO draw-head as to be liable to break it. ,Besides this protection to the pivot-piu, it is located, as shown, far back substantially on a line with the inner face ot' the draw-head, which brings it through about the center of the greatest body ot' metal surrounding it both inthe draw-head and the knuckle and secures great strength of bearings. In couplers of this class it is desirable that the shocks of blows shall be diminished as much as possible by the action of springs or cushions. The coupling mechanism must always bear he shocks or blows up to the point where the force is suiicient to operate the draw-bar springs. Beyond this, a shock is sometimes experienced when the draw-bar springs have yielded to the maximum extent and the drawhead comes in Contact with the draft timber or beams of the car. In order to protect the coupler from such blows and shocks, I employ an improved cushion or bumper upon the guard-arm of the draw-head both in front t and rear, somewhat upon the general principle of United States Patents Nos. 328,547and 341,292.

I provide a bumper-chamber M in the guardarm in front, and I may also provide a chamber M in the rear .of the draw-head. This chamber is divided into three parts, (i being for the bumper N, l) the enlarged part for the rubber cushion O, and c to receive the end of the headed bolt I when the cushion is compressed.

Q indicates a washer seated in the cushion, and through which the headed bolt I passes. The bolt Serves to secure the bumper and cushion together. I form this cushion by the combination of the bumper, the bolt, the rubber cushion, and the washer, so that I can insert it into a properly-formed opening. The enlarged part of the cushion entering the enlarged part of the opening, the device will stay in place and be ready for service. ln Fig. 5 I have shown the application ol this bumper mechanism to the draft-timber of a car instead ot' in the rear part of the guardarm of the draw-head, in which position it would serve the same purpose; but I prefer to apply it on the ginlrd-arm.

\Vhat I claim as new isl. The combination, with a draw-head provided with a guard-arm, a socket or seat, and a knuckle pivoted to the draw-head and provided with a corresponding socket or seat, of a conical coiled spring located in front of thc guard-arm, with its larger end resting in the i socketorscat ol' the draw-head audits smaller l end in the socket or seat of the knuckle, and a latch for engaging the inner end'of the knuckle. 2. The combination of the eoncentricshouljders K and L upon the draw-head B and the corresponding concentric bearings K2 and K upon the draw -head, the tapering coiled spring l'l, and the knuckle pivotfpin C, located in line with the inner face of the drawhcad, substantially as set forth.

Si. An improved buiing device for a drawhead of a car, consisting of the bumper N,the cushion 0, the washer Q, and the bolt P,to1se curing them together, substantially as set forth.

1. A draw-head provided with a bumperchamber divided into three parts-ct for the bumper, b an enlarged part for a rubber cushion, and c a small part to receive a bumperbolt-substantially as set forth.

5. In an automatic ear-coupler, the combination, with a draw-head and an integral guard-arm provided with a transverse inclined recess therein, of a knuckle pivoted to the draw-head and a gravity-catch located in the recess in the guard-arm to engage the knuckle, substantially as set forth.

(i. In an automatic car-coupler, the combination, with al draw-head and an integral guard-arm provided with a transverse in clined recess therein,of aY knuckle pivoted to the draw-head and having a lateral exten sion and a gravity-catch located in therecess in the guard-arm and adapted to engage the lateral extension ot' the knuckle, suhstantially as set forth. i

`7. In an automatic car-coupler, the combination, with a draw-head and al1 il'ltegral guard-arm having an inclined recess therein, of a knuckle pivoted to the draw-head, a gravity-catch in the recess in the' guard arm to i engage said knuckle, and bullers on said guard-arm, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JAMES TIMMS. IYitnesses:

R. B. SMITH,

0.1). AKEn.

lOO 

